Physicochemical and functional properties of soy protein substrates modified by low levels of protease hydrolysis

Endo-protease treatments achieving low degrees of hydrolysis (DH 2% and 4%) were used to improve functional properties of hexane-extracted soy flour (HESF), extruded-expelled partially defatted soy flour (EESF), ethanol-washed soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soy protein isolate (SPI). These substrates had protein dispersibility indices ranging from 11% to 89%. Functional properties, including solubility profile (pH 3 to 7), emulsification capacity and stability, foaming capacity and stability, and apparent viscosity were determined and related to surface hydrophobicity and peptide profiles of the hydrolysates. Protein solubilities of all substrates increased as DH increased. Emulsification capacity and hydrophobicity values of the enzyme-modified HESF and EESF decreased after hydrolysis, whereas these values increased for SPC and SPI. Emulsion stability was improved for all 4% DH hydrolysates. Hydrolyzed SPC had lower foaming capacity and stability. For substrates other than SPC, foaming properties were different depending on DH. Hydrolysis significantly decreased the apparent viscosities regardless of substrate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated differences in the molecular weight profiles of the hydrolysates. HESF and EESF, which had high proportions of native-state proteins, showed minor changes in the peptide profile due to hydrolysis compared with SPC and SPI.